Erica stood silently looking at one of the displays in her favorite museum in the city. It was pretty quiet in here today with most of the people out attending memorial services or one of the numerous other events commemorating the attack 5 years ago today. Her life had changed so much since then. She closed her eyes and pictured the events of that day in her mind.
She had been sitting outdoors enjoying lunch and a glass of wine when the sky opened up and all hell broke loose. Aliens flying about on chariot like ships blasting away at people and buildings. Like others around her, she had run for cover. Moments later she saw HIM. The man her grandmother had talked about, had told tales of his heroism. Captain America and a few others had arrived and quickly fought back against the invaders. In the end, they were victorious but the city had suffered massive damage. Hundreds of people had been killed or injured. She helped administer basic first aid in an effort to assist the overburdened first responders.
It was a day she would never forget. That and the day she had been gifted with special abilities. Since that day, she had dedicated herself to the ideals of her idol, her hero, Captain America. Granted she wasn't fighting alien invaders but she did her part to keep crime in the city a bit lower.
That was part of the reason she was here now. She had been out late fighting robbers, saving people from assaults and shootings, and generally trying to make the city a better place to live. When she finally arrived back at her shared apartment, she snuck into her room through the unlocked window. She was changing clothes when her friend and roommate walked in. The two of them had an argument and Erica left the apartment.
She went to a nearby bar and proceeded to consume far too much alcohol. After the bar closed she wandered the streets for awhile and fought off a couple of would be attackers. Eventually she slept for a few hours and then made her way to the one place she felt safe and comfortable in. It helped calm her to be here.
Erica had been so lost in thought that she didn't hear the approaching footsteps behind her.
"I thought I'd find you here. I've been looking all over for you." the feminine voice said softly.
"I needed to get away. I needed time to think."
"I've never been here before. He was quite a hero, wasn't he?"
"Still is."
"So are you it seems. Come home. We need to talk."
"That's an understatement Leticia. Not yet though. There's someplace I need to go today. They're having a memorial service for all the brave police officers that gave their lives to defend the city that day. It's my duty to pay my respects to the families. It's what he would do."
"Okay Erica. I'd like to go with you if you don't mind my company."
"Sure, I'd like that. Then we can grab a cup of coffee at Starbucks."